The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Griffon (NYSE: GFF) and the rest of the home construction materials stocks fared in Q2.

Traditionally, home construction materials companies have built economic moats with expertise in specialized areas, brand recognition, and strong relationships with contractors. More recently, advances to address labor availability and job site productivity have spurred innovation that is driving incremental demand. However, these companies are at the whim of residential construction volumes, which tend to be cyclical and can be impacted heavily by economic factors such as interest rates. Additionally, the costs of raw materials can be driven by a myriad of worldwide factors and greatly influence the profitability of home construction materials companies.

The 12 home construction materials stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q2. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some home construction materials stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.1% since the latest earnings results.

Griffon (NYSE: GFF)

Initially in the defense industry, Griffon (NYSE: GFF) is a now diversified company specializing in home improvement, professional equipment, and building products.

Griffon reported revenues of $613.6 million, down 5.3% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 5.6%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 7.6% since reporting and currently trades at $76.15.

Is now the time to buy Griffon? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q2: Masco (NYSE: MAS)

Headquartered just outside of Detroit, MI, Masco (NYSE: MAS) designs and manufactures home-building products such as glass shower doors, decorative lighting, bathtubs, and faucets.

Masco reported revenues of $2.05 billion, down 1.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 7.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $70.75.

Is now the time to buy Masco? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q2: Gibraltar (NASDAQ: ROCK)

Gibraltar (NASDAQ: ROCK) makes renewable energy, agriculture technology and infrastructure products. Its mission statement is to make everyday living more sustainable.

Gibraltar reported revenues of $309.5 million, up 13.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 17.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

Gibraltar delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and weakest full-year guidance update in the group. As expected, the stock is down 2.4% since the results and currently trades at $62.80.

Read our full analysis of Gibraltar’s results here.

Trex (NYSE: TREX)

Addressing the demand for aesthetically-pleasing and unique outdoor living spaces, Trex Company (NYSE: TREX) makes wood-alternative decking, railing, and patio furniture.

Trex reported revenues of $387.8 million, up 3% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 2.8%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 19.9% since reporting and currently trades at $51.67.

Read our full, actionable report on Trex here, it’s free.

Fortune Brands (NYSE: FBIN)

Targeting a wide customer base of residential and commercial customers, Fortune Brands (NYSE: FBIN) makes plumbing, security, and outdoor living products.

Fortune Brands reported revenues of $1.20 billion, down 3% year on year. This number met analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also recorded full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $54.45.

Read our full, actionable report on Fortune Brands here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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